Women’s hockey in Hyannis

In the summertime Hyannis has its beautiful harbor, but in the winter, hockey is what Hyannis is all about, and the place to find it is the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, which this weekend will welcome the Boston Blades, part of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

In the summertime Hyannis has its beautiful harbor, but in the winter, hockey is what Hyannis is all about, and the place to find it is the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, which this weekend will welcome the Boston Blades, part of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

The Blades, the newest member of the CWHL, will take to the main ice at the HYCC to battle Toronto in a regular season match-up, and the Blades’ general manager, G. Paul Hendrickson, wants to see a packed house.

“I hope that we have a really loud, enthusiastic fan base at the game on Saturday,” Hendrickson said.

According to Hendrickson, the Boston Blades, which wears uniforms similar in appearance to another well-known Boston hockey team, got their start in October 2010.

“The team was formed back in September, and we recruited a number of elite hockey players who are living in the Boston area now,” Hendrickson said.

Team players include former Olympians, and former college stars Angela Ruggiero, Caitlin Chow, Karen Thatcher, Erika Lawler and Lacey Bellamy.

Toronto’s team, also part of the CWHL, includes Jennifer Buttermilk, Tessa Bonhomme, and Sami Jo Small.

Heading into the weekend match, the Blades posted a win-loss record of 8-9, and were in the middle of the five-team CWHL standings with 17 points overall. One of their victories was a key win against previously undefeated Montreal.

Because the 2010-2011 season marks the first for the Blades, Hendrickson said it was important for the team to gain recognition. To do so, the Blades have played games throughout New England and Canada.

While Hendrickson hasn’t yet seen the HYCC, what he’d heard about the facility was enough for him to want to bring his team there.

“I’ve heard that it’s a beautiful facility, and the location is great for people who are on the Cape and in the Southern Mass area,” Hendrickson said. “A number of people have told me it’s the best rink on the Cape and so we’re looking forward to being there.”

Another draw for the Blades is the popularity of girls' ice hockey.

“We know that girls’ hockey is really big on the Cape, and we want [the Blades] to have the exposure there,” Hendrickson said. We wanted our team to be able to be visible to younger girls’ hockey players, as well as adult fans in the entire New England area.”

By keeping ticket prices low ($5 for adults and $3 for girls and youth hockey players), the team hopes to attract a significant crowd.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of new fans that we haven’t seen yet this year,” Hendrickson said. “Fans that are interested in seeing these players.”

Hendrickson hopes that up-and-coming girls hockey players, whether in youth or high school programs, will find the Blades a source of inspiration.

“I hope they’ll be inspired in a couple of ways,” said Hendrickson. “One, that there is a future for really talented young players to play beyond the college years. Second, I hope they get to talk to some of the players and see what they’ve accomplished educationally, and in terms of their love of hockey.”

Hendrickson also hopes that by seeing professional women’s teams in action, younger players will be motivated to improve their own games. That his players will also be in the spotlight is a bonus as well.

“These are some of the best hockey players in the world,” Hendrickson said. “We really want elite players to have the exposure. We’re really happy to have this game on the Cape.”

The Boston Blades will face Toronto at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center on Bassett Lane in Hyannis at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for girls and youth hockey players, under 5 free. For more information call the HYCC at 508-790-6345.